the airport. It was not a good beginning to our visit. But when I awoke in the morning, Erica had left a note on my pillow saying, ‘I don’t know why, but I actually have a positive feeling about Cleveland. I think you should take it seriously.’” Costa is convinced God was intervening in their plans. After changing course for Cleveland, the family initially settled in Pepper Pike for six years, then moved to Shaker Heights three years ago. The Costas’ three children attend the Shaker schools and are involved in swimming and volleyball among other activities. Costa loves seeing the neighbor kids’ bikes piled up outside their Mercer area home on a typical Friday night. “In Shaker, the houses have character, and the people here have character. It’s a mix of urban and suburban lifestyle, which is what we are used to, coming from bigger cities,” says Costa. “We go downtown 10 times more now than we ever used to. We go to Cavs games and concerts, or to enjoy the bridges in the Flats and eat at Coastal Tacos.” In what spare time he might have, Costa enjoys playing basketball at the Mandel Jewish Community Center in Beachwood, and Erica is involved with the Womens Council of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The family also found a close-knit community at St. Dominic Church. “We didn’t have that where we lived before,” says Costa. “It brings us back to how we were raised in Brazil.” In both his personal and his professional life, Costa seems happiest on the SHAKER LIFE | WINTER 2017 37 less-taken path. “I believe success requires risks, perseverance, and a vision,” says Costa. “I try to take the right road for the right reasons. I don’t feel comfortable being comfortable.”
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